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The Brighton Magazine

Selected Brighton Magazine Article

Thursday 27 April 2017

Dodson and Fogg: Melody Is The Muse For Chris Wade's Ongoing Musical Project

I was a Dodson and Fogg virgin until the Down At The Beach EP landed in my inbox. I am, in contrast, a long-time fan of the EP's creator, Chris Wade. He's written a wealth of book and magazine titles; the contents of which both inform and entertain.

But there's a very British trait of pigeon-holing an artist. If they write, they write. If they paint, they paint. If they make music, then they are a musician.

So I'd failed to make the crossover from Wade the prolific writer - and recent film maker - to Wade the prolific musical artist. And on the strength of a hand-full of listens to the Down At The Beach EP, my ignorance has been my loss.

The songs, play-by-play, leave hooks in the brain that replay long after the last track has wound its way to the digital run-out groove.

First track For Eternity is a dreamlike introduction to the Dodson and Fogg musical project. It rides a wave of melody that's melded with a pastoral lyrical lilt and a homage to everlasting life and love.

The mood changes come track three, Somewhere By The Sea. There's a shuffle and a skip added to the mood. A track on which the listener can, apparently, hear a swan cough'. If there's a single to be pulled from the EP then this is it.

The mood drops for the fourth track, For You. A love song; beautifully played and fully realised. Melody isn't just Wade's friend, it's also his muse and mistress.

Penultimate track, You''re Not Alone, is an almost solo period John-Lennon-alike positive ode.

EP closer Nanook is infused with an Instant Karma feel .. it's that Lennon connection again. There's also a bit of the peak-periodDonovan about it. My favourite of the six and a track that leaves you wishing that the EP was a full LP.

I'm hooked and recommend CLICKING HERE and losing your Dodson and Fogg virginity to the Down At The Beach EP. All songs written, produced and performed by Chris Wade. For more info on Dodson and Fogg CLICK HERE.

Carleen Anderson has been hailed by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, as 'phenomenal and one of a kind' and now, for Brighton Fesival 20018, she's joining ranks with virtuoso pianist Nikki Yeoh, and Mercury Music Prize-winning rapper Speech Debelle.

Roger Daltrey is set to release new solo album, As Long As I Have You, which features Pete Townshend's inimitable guitar on seven tracks as well as guest performances from Mick Talbot on keyboards (Dexys, The Style Council).

Snow Patrol will return later this spring with Wildness, their first album in seven years, which finds the band searching for clarity, connection, and meaning, while staying true to the melodic songwriting prowess that brought them to prominence.

The sexual health and contraception (SHAC) team in Brighton will be using new visual aids to help overcome female patients' embarrassment and stigma about their bodies after receiving a donation from Brighton artist, Jamie McCartney.

Rating

Described as “the missing link between David Bowie and The Sex Pistols”Doctors of Madness exploded onto the music scene in 1975 with their theatrical, William Burroughs-inspired Sci-fi nightmare, they were misunderstood by many, but those who knew understood the importance of the band's dangerous, uncompromising approach to lyrics, to music and to performance.

Brighton Dome joins forces with Brighton Women's Centre and Brighton Museum to celebrate International Women's Day 2018. Enjoy stalls, talks, tasters and specially commissioned work reflecting on the issues raised throughout the day.

In the summer of 1969, Clarice looks back on her turbulent life. Having experienced a sheltered upbringing, the events that followed have left her with a feeling that the world around her was moving too fast.